The Peruvian thick-knee is a species of bird in the family Burhinidae. It is found in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and pastureland. It is a ground-dwelling bird and feeds on insects and small animals.
Region
Western South America
Typical Environment
Occurs along the arid and semi-arid Pacific slope of Peru, southwestern Ecuador, and far northern Chile. Prefers open, sparsely vegetated habitats including coastal desert, lomas scrub, dry river valleys, pastureland, and agricultural fields. It often uses stony or sandy flats and the edges of seasonally wet grasslands. Nesting is on the ground in simple scrapes with minimal cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This nocturnally active, ground-dwelling bird relies on excellent camouflage, freezing motionless among stones and scrub when threatened. Its large yellow eyes help it forage in low light. In flight it flashes a bold black-and-white wing pattern, and on the ground it may perform distraction displays to lead predators away from its nest.
Temperament
shy and cryptic
Flight Pattern
low, strong flight with rapid wingbeats, flashing bold wing patches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small loose groups outside the breeding season. Nests on the ground in a shallow scrape, typically laying two speckled eggs. Both parents share incubation duties and perform distraction displays to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal mostly at dusk and night, giving mournful, whistled calls and piping notes that carry over open habitats. Alarm calls are sharper, repeated whistles.
